Astronomy and Space Science Project Proposal

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Astronomy and Space Science Project Proposal

• New Jersey Space Grant Consortium
• Dr. Siva Thangam, Director
• Thomas H. Brown, Associate Director
• Richard A. Rossi, Associate Director

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In MemoriamSeptember 26, 2003

• Graduated Stevens Institute of Technology MSE
• UCLA MS in Nuclear
  Engineering
• NASA-HQ 1966-1967
• Princeton University 1967 1991
• Head, Office Research Project
  Administration
• Associate Director Princeton Plasma
  Physics
• Laboratory -- Department of
  Energy
• Board of Directors of AURA
  1973-1990
• Executive Director, NASA Regional Technology
  Transfer
• Center NJ 1991-1999
• Associate Director Program Development, New
  Jersey
• Space Grant Consortium 1999-2003

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Astronomy and Space Science Project Proposal

• Bring Astronomy and Space
• Science into the Classroom

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Objective

• Enhance each States focus on Astronomy and Space
  Science in K-12 Education by taking advantage of
  the strong interest exhibited by students.

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Background

• NJ Science Standards were recently revised to
  give Astronomy and Space Science a more prominent
  role in science education. NJ now has 10 science
  standards, all being required from K-12.
• NJ Science Standard 5.9 ASTRONOMY SPACE
  SCIENCE
• All Students Will Gain an Understanding of the
  Origin, Evolution, and Structure of the
  Universe
• Science Standard 5.9 Strands
• A. Earth, Moon, Sun System
• B. Solar System
• C. Stars
• D. Galaxies and Universe

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Method / Procedure

• Use each States Science Standards as the basic
  foundation for pursuing partnerships between
  SGCs, planetariums, the Space Telescope Science
  Institute (Hubble), Goddard Space Flight Center
  (JWST), and each state science teacher
  organization.
• Use each individual states' science standards
  that address space/planets to determine an
  individualized state focus.  This will give each
  state an opportunity to customize specific
  activities for their needs but use the overall
  resources of the workforce collaboration.

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Method / Procedure

• Focus on providing K-12 teachers with hands-on
  lessons and activities to help them teach the
  science of astronomy and space science.  This can
  be presented as core content, if applicable, or
  in an 'educational science club' concept.
• Stress that the advantage of astronomy is that
  students already hold a strong interest in this
  topic.  It is a platform on which to build
  hands-on activities that promote the basic
  concepts of science required by all state
  standards inquiry (predicting, observing,
  gathering and analyzing data), critical thinking,
  using models and drawing conclusions.

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Key Benefits

• Capitalize on students interest.
• Advance the knowledge of the teacher base toward
  Astronomy and Space Sciences.
• Focus students interest on future careers in
  NASA related fields.
• Instill a Cradle to Grave philosophy in
  developing and educating the NASA workforce of
  tomorrow.

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Next Steps

• Determine if this project or a modified version
  meets the interests and needs of the Region and
  meets the goals of the 2004 Workforce Development
  Solicitation.
• Form a committee to flush out details, budgets,
  and develop a final proposal.

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Cradle to Grave Education to achieve Workforce
Development

• ALL Space Grant Programs need focus on SEAMLESS
  support of the technology of astronomy and space
  science in Education.
• K-8 Programs need linkage to High School projects
  and programs that help students focus career
  interests in NASA-supported areas of study while
  still in HS.
• High School student programs need to support
  research opportunities that lead to the pursuit
  of the technology of NASA-needed areas of study
  in college.
• NASA supported Undergraduate Fellowship programs
  need to acknowledge High School student
  participants and encourage continued
  participation at college levels.

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Cradle to Grave Education to achieve Workforce
Development

• Space Grant supported Undergraduate Fellowship
  Programs must be linked to university Co-Op
  programs that are participants with a NASA
  Center.
• ALL SPACE GRANT educational programs need to feed
  into the well-established employment processes
  used by NASA.
• FACTOID The ONLY route for an undergraduate OR
  graduate
• student to get a job
  with NASA upon graduation is by
• participating in a
  NASA co-operative program BEFORE
• they graduate. C.
  Beidel, Recruitment Manager, GSFC
• FACTOID Direct hires in Science or Engineering
  at NASA have at
• least 10 years
  experience in specific areas of expertise
• needed by NASA. These
  openings are advertised in
• professional journals.
  C. Beidel, Recruitment Manager, GSFC